THE ORION FIRST WARD

Sunday we had church on the boat.  The boys all donned white short sleeve dress shirts and ties and Chloe and I put on skirts.  Mark had gotten permission from our Bishop to have the Sacrament while we are onboard.  This is one of Mark’s favorite days on the boat, harking back to the time in his late teens when he sailed with the Mitchell family and he joined them for Sacrament Meetings.  This is where he first learned about he church.  He loves sharing this little Sunday routine all these years later with the kids so they can catch a glimpse of what his first gospel lessons looked and felt like. 

Connor conducted the meeting and both he and Sev blessed and passed the Sacrament.  We opened with a song but really, just one verse, as we were afraid any more singing would drive out the spirit.  We are just as awful as the Mitchell’s were all those years ago.  We’d like to think we’re keeping up some sacred off-key tradition but really, plain and simply, we are just awful singers.  Chloe gave us a talk on Jonah and we discussed the challenges of having to teach people who we judge to be unworthy or just plain uninterested in the gospel.  The story of the sea getting tumultuous and Jonah going overboard must have been frightening.  All in all Chloe gave us a good lesson on doing what we’re asked. 

We ended the meeting with a prayer and without a song.  A good decision I think.